British Special Forces Lapel Knife

This British Special Forces Lapel Knife was made and issues by British Special Forces during World War II. These British Special Forces created lethal weapons that could be easily hidden and use during espionage and spy operations in World War II. Irregular warfare, especially sabotage and raiding operations and special reconnaissance required the use of unusual weapons. This blade was designed to be hidden behind the jacket lapels for ease of access. It could also be secreted anywhere and was small but sufficient for striking in close combat.

The Special Operations Executive (SOE) was a British World War II organisation which conducted espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance in occupied Europe and aided local resistance movements. Few people were aware of SOE’s existence, it had many cover names including the “Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”. The organisation directly employed or controlled just over 13,000 people, about 3,200 of whom were women.

Various types of blades were created specially for the SOE and OSS, the US equivalent, during WW2. These were designed as secret weapons, easily concealable, yet lethally practical for actions of sabotage and close combat on clandestine operations. The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was a wartime intelligence agency of the United States during World War II, and a predecessor of the modern Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).